Open Collections

[Bookplate for Cosmo Nevill]

This heraldic bookplate consists of an escutcheon, divided per cross. Quarters one and four are gules (red), charged with a saltier, ermine (fur, white powdered with black tufts). Quarters two and three are argent (silver), with a fretty of eight pieces, gules. Quarters two and three have a canton at dexter chief, divided per pale, or (gold) and argent, charged with a galley with three masts. Above the primary escutcheon is a grated helmet at three-quarters profile (denoting a degree of peerage under a duke). Above the helmet is a straight wreath charged with a ducal coronet around an ox head, erased and ermine. Radiating from the helmet and escutcheon is elaborate mantling. Beneath the escutcheon is a banner, with Latin motto within.

Heraldry

Prints

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According to Burke's Landed Gentry (available through UBC Library), though no Cosmo Nevill is mentioned, this heraldic crest most closely resembles the Nevile of Thorney and Nevile of Wellingore lines, though similarities between the Nevile of Skelbrooke line and Nevill of Tasburgh Hall exist. The Nevile of Thorney line is a branch descending from the baronial house of Nevile, Earls of Westmorland. Though ownership of this bookplate remains unclear, there was a Cosmo Nevill born in 1907 at Borden, Hampshire, who became a British Major-General and, according to his obituary, was awarded the DSO "for his gallantry and outstanding leadership" commanding the 2nd Battalion, Devenshire Regiment on D-Day in WWII. However, it should be noted that the association remains unconfirmed. Significant paper discolouration and damage including dark and pink ink.
References:
1) Major General Cosmo Nevill." Obituary. The Telegraph. 11 Oct. 2002. Accessed on 6 Feb. 2008 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/10/12/db1203.xml
2) The Manual of Heraldry . 7th Ed. London: Virtue Brothers & Co., 1866.
3) Heraldic Dictionary . University of Notre Dame, Dept. of Special Collections. 31 July 2000 . Accessed 21 Nov. 2007 at http://www.rarebooks.nd.edu/digital/heraldry/index.html.
4) "Mottoes A-C." Heraldry Unlimited. First accessed 3 Mar. 2004 from http://www.heraldryunlimited.com/guide/motto/AC.htm.
5) Simpson, D.P. Cassell's New Latin Dictionary. 3rd Ed. London: Cassell & Company Ltd., 1964.

RBSC Bookplates

2008

Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://rbsc.library.ubc.ca

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